Steve,I like very much your comment near the end "...no matter whether they used old knowledge or acquired new proficiency on the spot." Having a job where these two are split properly is what determines job satisfaction - MCM or not.

I was once fired on a Monday morning, I would have preferred the prior Friday. I would think they knew before I left on Friday that this was going to happen Monday. For me it would have given me more time to deal with the consequences of not having a job and would have changed my plans and spending for that weekend. This was in the mid 80's so I would have been able to look in the Sunday paper for a potential new job.

We recently had some departments here let some people go and they did it on a Friday morning. Luckily I'm still here but I know I would have preferred it this way.

-------------------------------------------------------------we travel not to escape life but for life not to escape us

Regarding the MCM, I had fully intended on going after the MCSM: Data Platform (SQL Server 2012). However, even prior to the MCM retirement announcement I had started thinking maybe I should set my sights on SQL Server 2014 and all of its certifications. After all, with CTP 1 already available, I could get an early start on preparations for the new exams. Then again, by the time I would have acquired the 2014 certs, SQL Server 2016 will have been released. Add the expiring of certifications to that and you end up in a never-ending state of hesitation. Is this perhaps part of the rationale for eliminating MCM/MCA credentials? -too many levels of certs for such a short product lifecycle?

Interestingly, as of this morning, it appears as though the Microsoft Certification Guidance Team has not yet been briefed on the change:

Abc: Hello, I'm Abc with the Microsoft Certification Guidance Team....Brian: Many people had the MCM as their goal, now what?Abc: We still have masteral for SQL Server 2012. But it is now called as MCSM....Brian: I had assumed that was included in the MCM expirations.Brian: MCxMAbc: No it is not, they just changed the name/certification title....

Michael Meierruth (9/9/2013)Steve,I like very much your comment near the end "...no matter whether they used old knowledge or acquired new proficiency on the spot." Having a job where these two are split properly is what determines job satisfaction - MCM or not.